MSFT

3M turns to AI to fuel turnaround

Published: Jul 21, 2026   |  Read Original Article ↗

Article Summary

HOLD
  • 3M Company (NYSE: MMM) beat earnings and raised full-year guidance as Microsoft Corporation continues its turnaround, leaning into AI-driven data-center infrastructure and space-related technologies.
  • The company expects revenue from expanded beam optics technology to grow four to five times as Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) becomes a major hyper-scaler, while expanding into space headsets, energy systems, and aircraft insulation.
  • The stock is up 6% year-to-date, marking a turnaround that began in 2024, when the stock was at yearly lows and the company was restructuring operations.
  • Analysts expect revenue from beam optics to reach $40 million to $50 million this year, supported by Microsoft's expansion into hyper-scale data centers, and double-digit growth as AI adoption accelerates.
  • MMM continues to diversify into high-margin aerospace, energy, and defense sectors.
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Growth Stock Metric Rating
MSFT Rating
68.5
HOLD

Growth Stock Scoring Breakdown

METRIC VALUE WEIGHT ANALYSIS
Sales Growth TTM ? 17.9% 25% 60.0 ptsModerate (17.9%) - Decent growth
EPS Growth Next 5Y ? 18.7% 25% 50.0 ptsMeets Minimum (18.7%) - Passes screener
Target Price Upside ? 39.6% 20% 85.0 ptsLarge Upside (39.6%) - Target: $555.30 vs Current: $397.75
Gross Margin % ? 68.3% 15% 80.0 ptsVery Healthy (68.3%) - High-quality margins
Drawdown from 52-Wk High ? -28.4% 15% 80.0 ptsSolid Dip (-28.4%) - Good entry zone
Disclaimer: This rating is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. All data sourced from Finviz. Always conduct your own research and consult with a financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

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About MSFT

Technology Software - Infrastructure 228,000 employees Redmond, WA, United States
  • Microsoft Corporation develops and supports software, services, devices, and solutions worldwide.
  • The Productivity and Business Processes segment offers Microsoft 365 commercial, enterprise mobility + security, windows commercial, power BI, exchange, sharepoint, Microsoft teams, security and compliance, and copilot; Microsoft 365 commercial products, such as Windows commercial on-premises and office licensed services; Microsoft 365 consumer products and cloud services, including Microsoft 365 consumer subscriptions, office licensed on-premises, and other consumer services; LinkedIn; dynamics products and cloud services, such as dynamics 365, cloud-based applications, and on-premises ERP and CRM applications.
  • Its Intelligent Cloud segment provides Server products and cloud services comprising Azure and other cloud services, GitHub, Nuance Healthcare, virtual desktop offerings, and other cloud services; server products, including SQL and windows server, visual studio and system center related client access licenses, and other on-premises offerings; enterprise and partner services, such as enterprise support and nuance professional services, industry solutions, Microsoft partner network, and learning experience.
  • The Personal Computing segment provides windows and devices, such as Windows OEM licensing and devices and surface and PC accessories; gaming services and solutions, such as Xbox hardware, content, and services, first- and third-party content Xbox game pass, subscriptions, and cloud gaming, advertising, and other cloud services; search and news advertising services.
  • It sells its products through OEMs, distributors, and resellers; and online and retail stores.
  • The company has a strategic collaboration with Mayo Clinic, Inc. for the development of a frontier AI model for healthcare; and Global Objects, Inc. to build a retrieval-grounded generative AI world model.
  • The company was founded in 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond, Washington.
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